It has been a rather underwhelming campaign for Borussia Dortmund. While they are performing admirably in the Champions League, their domestic performances have been lacklustre at best, as they continue to prove why they are one of the most boring sides to watch in the Bundesliga.
Nevertheless, at times this season, they have looked electric. This has all down to the inspiration provided by their newest young English superstar, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens.
Prior to the winter break, Bynoe-Gittens was in phenomenal form, with Borussia Mönchengladbach and AC Milan most notably feeling his wrath. Then, as Dortmund returned to finish the Hinrunde off in style away to Darmstadt, the Englishman was at his brilliant best yet again.
However, since that day, it has not been the same. As the January transfer window opened, rumours of Jadon Sancho’s return to the club began to take the headlines, and once the move was complete, Bynoe-Gittens’ future was sealed.
Positive displays from the bench against FC Köln and VfL Bochum warranted two assists for the 19-year-old, but that is the issue created—he should not be on the bench. An injury to the on-loan Manchester United winger offered Bynoe-Gittens a starting role, but it appears his momentum has now been lost.
As he began finding his feet at the Westfalenstadion, it looked as though Dortmund had one of the brightest wingers in Europe. However, instead, they have burdened the issues that were plaguing Manchester United and created a whole new one for themselves.
Bynoe-Gittens is now Sancho’s understudy, and as previously suggested, this is why Dortmund should not have re-signed the 23-year-old. They have prevented the Englishman six months of positive development and simultaneously clearly damaged the confidence that was once oozing out of him.
With little left to play for, it is difficult to comprehend why BvB have allowed this to happen. They will not be able to afford the permanent signing of Sancho in the summer, leaving further question marks over the necessity of this deal.
As well as this, most recently against Wolfsburg and PSV Eindhoven, Sancho was entirely ineffective, lacking any sense of creativity. Unfortunately for Die Schwarzgelben, the reality is that they do not even look like receiving any on-field return by showing faith in Sancho.
The original fears, therefore, appear to be coming true: Borussia Dortmund have betrayed Jamie Bynoe-Gittens.
GGFN | Will Shopland
